Experience Summary
I was a professor at Ithaca College for 34 years in the music department. In that capacity I taught private performance lesson, coached chamber ensembles, conducted various ensembles. supervised and coached student teachers, performed in a faculty artist-in-residence quintet, performed solo recitals, assisted students in writing essays, resumes, and applications for positions in the teaching field or graduate studies. I also had many experiences helping students through difficult academic and personal issues. As a private teacher meeting individually with a student for an hour each week, I became the main academic and personal adviser for them. I found all of these contacts to be valuable and personally very rewarding. My students were very successful in the academic world and the performance world and maintained contact with me for years after graduation. I have nothing but fond memories of these experiences and still remain in contact with them. If I were to summarize what I did as a professor for 34 years it would be to say that I facilitated learning and growth. I never dictated or demanded students to work hard. I excited them about the joy and pride of learning and succeeding. As such, I never had to "motivate" students. Their internal drive became a very strong impetus to do their best for its own sake. I found, for example, that in most cases I would need to recommend that students take some time off of working on academics or practicing to exercise, contribute socially to needy people, socialize. They learned to work hard and still balance their lives to become successful and caring human beings; giving as much to their world as they got from it. What a great life that has been!
Teaching Style
I described most of that in the above category. I can only add that I taught one-on-one, coached and conducted small ensembles, worked with groups of 100+ as a clinician or guest artist. I enjoyed all these levels of contact.
My Hobbies
My hobbies include exercise doing aerobics and weight training, biking, kayaking, swimming, hiking, and generally being active outdoors.
Other Comments
I believe that a great education in academics, social interaction, and social concern helps everyone. Our society and civilization is based upon the quality of growth of our young people. I have been proud to be a part of that process.